Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Yanru Mo is a leading researcher in soft robotics, bio-inspired design, and human-robot interaction, with a particular focus on creating intelligent, sensor-rich systems that mimic the dexterity and adaptability of biological organisms. Her most impactful work includes the development of an octopus-inspired sensorized soft arm, which has garnered 262 citations. This study demonstrates how the octopus’s characteristic “bend propagation” motion can be replicated in a highly deformable robotic arm with integrated sensing, enabling efficient grasping with minimal control inputs—a breakthrough for underwater manipulation and environmental interaction. Mo’s second highly cited paper (239 citations) introduces a touchless interactive teaching method for soft robots, using a flexible bimodal sensory interface based on triboelectric nanogenerators and liquid metal. This innovation allows bare-handed, intuitive training of soft robots for skilled locomotion, significantly advancing human-robot collaboration. Her additional work includes designing a hydrostatic electroactive soft actuator inspired by octopus musculature, and exploring embodied emotional communication through mediated social touch. With a portfolio that bridges fundamental bioinspiration and practical sensing interfaces, Yanru Mo is shaping the future of soft, interactive, and perceptive robotic systems.